Yoga mat

ABSTRACT

A yoga mat having first, second and third zones. The first zone, the second zone and the third zone are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the mat, with the second zone being adjacent the first zone, and the third zone being adjacent the second zone. The first zone having a first thickness, and the second zone having a second thickness. The second thickness being greater than the first thickness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mats, and, more particularly, to exercise mats, in the form of a yoga mat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Yoga mats are specially fabricated mats used during exercise or yoga routines, the mats are used to minimize slipping of hands and feet during the performance of routines thereon. Yoga or exercise mats are typically about 6 feet (180 cm) long and have a width of around 2 feet (61 cm). Yoga mats range in thickness from lightweight mats that are 1/16 inch (2 mm) thick to standard ⅛ inch (3 mm) mats and up to ¼ inch (6 mm) for mats that are considered soft or high performance.

Yoga mats may be made from a variety of materials and are available in many colors and patterns. One of the main features is that the surface must be slip resistant or even what is called by some as “sticky”, in order to assist the practitioner from slipping on the mat. Some mats are referred to as “Alignment mats”, which have markings or patterns that serves as guides to proper alignment of the user. Mats may be made of PVC, organic cotton, natural jute or rubber. Mats made of PVC are generally the spongiest, resulting in more “give” when compressed by the user. Mats made of fibers, such as cotton and jute, are typically the firmest material used in a mat. Mats can be textured on the surface with a pattern that results from the forming process or may have a texture due to a weaving procedure used in weaving fibers.

People with some limitations prefer using thicker mats for purposes of increasing the cushioning that they need.

What is needed in the art is a mat that accommodates people with limitations, yet still have most of the characteristics of traditional mats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise mat in the form of an enhanced yoga mat.

The invention in one form is directed to a yoga mat having first, second and third zones. The first zone, the second zone and the third zone are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the mat, with the second zone being adjacent the first zone, and the third zone being adjacent the second zone. The first zone having a first thickness, and the second zone having a second thickness. The second thickness being greater than the first thickness.

The invention in another form is directed to a yoga mat having first, second and third zones. The first zone, the second zone and the third zone are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the mat, with the second zone being adjacent the first zone, and the third zone being adjacent the second zone. The first zone having a first compressibility, and the second zone having a second compressibility. The second compressibility being greater than the first compressibility.

An advantage of the present invention is that the mat is rolled and stored like prior art mats.

Another advantage is the enhanced comfort area allows people with knee issues to participate or extend their period of participation in exercise routines.

Yet another advantage is the enhanced area is integral with the mat, thereby not allowing any slippage, as compared to using a pillow or other item on top of a mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a schematized user using an embodiment of a mat of the present invention with a thicker comfort section in the mat;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the mat of FIG. 1 showing an insert that enhances the thickness or compressibility of the mat;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mat of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating that the thick part of the mat is localized to one portion of the mat;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mat of FIGS. 1-3 rolled up with the thickened portion being visible; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the mat of FIG. 1, illustrating that the thickened area may be made integrally with the same material as the rest of the mat.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a person P using a yoga mat 10, yoga mat 10 generally includes a first zone 12, a second zone 14, and a third zone 16 arranged in a longitudinal direction LD. As can be seen in FIG. 1, first zone 12 is adjacent to second zone 14 and third zone 16 is adjacent second zone 14. First zone 12 has a first thickness, second zone 14 has a second thickness and third zone 16 has a third thickness. The first and third thicknesses, respectively of zones 12 and 16 may be identical or at least substantially similar, both being less than the thickness of zone 14.

Zone 14 is placed in a location along mat 10 (in the longitudinal direction LD) so as to correspond to where the knees of person P are likely to be positioned. Zone 14 is more cushioned, which is illustrated by having zone 14 to be shown as being thicker than zones 12 and 16. Zone 14 can also be considered as being more compressible to thereby spread the weight of person P that is being supported by the knees across a greater surface area of the knees, thereby providing enhanced comfort to person P, in the position shown. It is also contemplated that other parts of the anatomy of person P may benefit from being positioned on zone 14. It is also contemplated that the presence of zone 14 can be utilized to enhance or allow the development of new exercise routines.

Both first zone 12 and third zone 16 have thicknesses that are less than the thickness of zone 14. The thickness of third zone 16 is substantially the same as the thickness of zone 12. As shown in FIG. 2, there are two transition segments 20 and 22 that are made of the same material as that of zones 12 and 16 that extends around an insert 18, substantially or totally enclosing insert 18.

Insert 18 is in second zone 14 and may be similar in compressibility to the material used in zones 12 and 16, or may be different as is implied in FIG. 2. The overall thickness and/or compressibility in zone 14 is greater than that of zones 12 and 16. The thickness/compressibility in zone 14 is substantially greater than zones 12 and 16, and sometimes more than double the thickness/compressibility of zones 12 and 16.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 3, second zone 14 is generally rectangular in shape as viewed from above mat 10. Yoga mat 10 has a length in longitudinal direction LD, with second zone 14 being less than one third of the length of mat 10, or even less than one fourth of the length of mat 10, or yet further less than 20% of the length of mat 10.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 4, mat 10 is shown rolled up, illustrating that the overall flexibility of mat 10 is unaffected, allowing this traditional way of handling prior art mats to continue with the new construct of the present invention.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another embodiment of a yoga mat 110, in the form of a single material being used throughout zones 112, 114 and 116. In mat 110 the thickness of zone 114 is what provides the area of enhance comfort for person P, when used as shown in FIG. 1. In contrast mat 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is made of a first material in first zone 12, while second zone 14 is made of the first material and a second material (insert 18), and zone 16 is made of the first material. The first material of zones 12 and 16 extends into second zone 14 and substantially surrounds insert 18, made of the second material. The second material of insert 18 may have the same compressibility, but preferably has a differing compressibility than the first material. Insert 18 may have a greater thickness than the material that surrounds it.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A yoga mat, comprising: a first zone in a longitudinal direction of the yoga mat; a second zone in the longitudinal direction, the second zone being adjacent the first zone, the second zone having a second compressibility, the second zone being rectangular in shape as viewed from above the yoga mat, the second zone including a rectangular insert having an insert compressibility which differs from the second compressibility of the second zone; and a third zone in the longitudinal direction, the third zone being adjacent the second zone, the first zone having a first thickness, the second zone having a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness.
 2. The yoga mat of claim 1, wherein the third zone has a third thickness, the third thickness being less than the second thickness.
 3. The yoga mat of claim 2, wherein the third thickness is the same as the first thickness.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The yoga mat of claim 1, wherein the yoga mat has a length in the longitudinal direction, the second zone being less than one third of the length of the yoga mat.
 6. The yoga mat of claim 5, wherein the second zone is less than one fourth of the length of the yoga mat.
 7. The yoga mat of claim 1, wherein the second thickness is at least 50% thicker than the first thickness.
 8. The yoga mat of claim 7, wherein the second thickness is at least double the first thickness.
 9. The yoga mat of claim 1, wherein the first zone is made of a first material.
 10. The yoga mat of claim 9, wherein the second zone is made of the first material, wherein the first material surrounds the rectangular insert.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. A yoga mat, comprising: a first zone in a longitudinal direction of the yoga mat; a second zone in the longitudinal direction, the second zone being adjacent the first zone, the second zone having a second compressibility, the second zone being rectangular in shape as viewed from above the yoga mat, the second zone including a rectangular insert having an insert compressibility which differs from the second compressibility of the second zone; and a third zone in the longitudinal direction, the third zone being adjacent the second zone, the first zone having a first compressibility, the second compressibility and the insert compressibility being collectively greater than the first compressibility.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the third zone has a third compressibility, wherein the third compressibility is the same as the first compressibility.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the yoga mat has a length in the longitudinal direction, the second zone being less than one third of the length of the yoga mat.
 18. The yoga mat of claim 17, wherein the second zone is less than one fourth of the length of the yoga mat.
 19. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the second compressibility is at least 50% greater than the first compressibility.
 20. The yoga mat of claim 19, wherein the second compressibility is at least double the first compressibility. 